The Trust for Governors Island

Welcome to Governors Island

Governors Island, a 172 acre island in the heart of New York Harbor, is only 800 yards from Lower Manhattan, and even closer to Brooklyn.

The Trust is transforming Governors Island into a destination with great public open space, as well as educational, not-for-profit, and commercial facilities. Construction has been completed on 30 new acres of park and public spaces that will open for public use in May 2014.

The Trust has also broken ground on the Hills, the crowning feature of the new park. In addition to the completion of the new park spaces and construction of the Hills, The Trust is proceeding with an ambitious infrastructure program to ready the Island for expanded tenancy and activity.

In spite of the wet weather, we began demolition of another building in the South Island last week. In its place we’re building a new park for new generations to enjoy. Cool fact: since the buildings were so tall, we used debris from previously demolished buildings to build a ramp for the excavators (the machines you see chomping the building) to reach the upper floors. That debris will then be re-re-used as fill for the new park spaces.

I’m ashamed to say I spent a year on Governor’s Island as a prisoner. The year was 1962. It’s been 51 since I was released and discharged but I have vivid memories and still feel shame for the dumb things I did that put me there. I celebrated my 20th. birthday there. I wonder sometimes what became of some of those who served time there. Shortly after arriving there I was appointed to work in the office. I was released November, 1962.